IVF & Surrogacy Counseling

Building your family with the help of a donor or surrogate can be a rewarding, life-changing experience. It can also be emotionally, logistically, and legally complex. That’s why the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) and the Society for Ethics in Egg Donation & Surrogacy (SEEDS) list as a standard practice that all parties involved in a collaborative family-building journey meet with a mental health professional.

Fertility counseling is the heart of what we do at Counseling With Joey & Associates (though we offer traditional therapy, too!). If you’re ready to be a parent, gestational carrier, or donor, but not sure how to get started, you’re in the right place.

For Intended Parents

About the Intended Parent Psychoeducation Consultation

We offer thorough, thoughtful consultation for intended parents. Your consultation is an opportunity to get your questions answered and understand the entire process from donor and/or surrogate selection, to conception, to birth.

Legal issues, medical challenges, and other complications are always possible with surrogacy. We will equip you with the tools you need to navigate any setbacks and have a successful path to parenthood.

We can also help you navigate egg/sperm donor selection and connect you with any resources you need to keep moving forward on your journey.

Please note that an intended parent consult is a one-time appointment and does not involve your therapist establishing a therapeutic relationship or determining any diagnosis. Rather, the process is focused on psychoeducation.

For Surrogates and Egg/Sperm Donors

About Surrogate & Donor Screening

Surrogacy, egg donation, and sperm donation can be incredibly positive experiences, but they can also be emotionally and medically complex.

Before your appointment with one of our therapists, you will take a proctored assessment to help us understand your overall well-being, support system, and any factors that may affect your journey.

Your meeting with a mental health provider is an opportunity to explore your decision to become a surrogate or donor, receive support from an experienced professional, and ensure you fully understand what to expect throughout the process.

Please note that a surrogacy or donor screening is a one-time appointment, but if you decide that you need ongoing support during your journey, we can help with that too. We offer support sessions to help you navigate the entire experience form beginning to end.

Get Started

We want you to reach your goal as soon as possible, whether you’re building your own family or helping someone else build their family. Getting started with fertility counseling is quick and easy.

Simply select your appointment type, choose which therapist you’d like to work with, and pick a time that works for you. We often have same-week appointments available.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Yes! All appointments are conducted via secure video teleconference. We will send a URL link via email before your session.

  • We do not accept insurance payments. However, we will provide a receipt to clients which can be used to seek reimbursement from their insurance company.

  • We use electronic invoices which can be paid online using any credit/debit card, PayPal, or Venmo.

  • After booking an appointment, you will receive a confirmation email. This email contains a link which will allow you to reschedule your appointment if the need arises. You can also give us a call to reschedule. We do ask for at least 24-hour notice to avoid cancellation charges.

  • All of our Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists have expertise in intended parent consultations, surrogacy, donor screening, and traditional therapy. No matter who you see for your appointment, you’re in good hands!

    More information about our therapists can be found under “Our Team”.

Proud Partner

“I’ve been collaborating with licensed mental health professionals for over a decade at our program and I can always count on their reports to be insightful, thorough, and tackle specific areas of concern that our agency looks at for each surrogate candidate.

They take excellent care of our clients during the psychological screening process to support our mission of having surrogates feel prepared for and supported in their journeys.”

SURROGACY AGENCY DIRECTOR